The little blue icons of pop culture return to the big screen in ‘Smurfs’ (2025), a vibrant animated reboot that mixes modern flair with nostalgic charm.
Directed by Chris Miller (‘Puss in Boots’, ‘Shrek the Third’) and featuring a star-studded voice cast led by Rihanna, this film is far from the misfire many feared — and for many viewers, it’s a delightful surprise.
Gone are the awkward live-action hybrids of the past. This all-animated Smurfs fully embraces its cartoon roots, delivering crisp, colorful visuals that feel like a modern homage to the 1980s Hanna-Barbera classic. Rihanna brings undeniable charisma to Smurfette, both in performance and vocals, while John Goodman’s warm, commanding voice as Papa Smurf anchors the emotional core of the story.
Rihanna’s new original song — rumored to be titled ‘Anyone’— is already making waves, with fans praising it as a standout musical moment.
A Plot with Heart. The story centers around No Name Smurf (James Corden), an identity-challenged Smurf who unexpectedly unlocks magical powers and sets off a chain of events that threatens the entire village. When Papa Smurf is kidnapped by the evil wizard Razamel (JP Karliak), a rescue mission led by Smurfette takes the gang across multiple dimensions — including stops in Paris, Australia, and even a claymation world.
The plot admittedly bounces all over the place, but it never loses its emotional thread. As one fan shared: “There’s a perfect blend of nostalgia for longtime fans and fresh energy for new audiences… the heartfelt moments genuinely surprised me.”
The Cast. On paper, the cast is a dream: John Goodman, Rihanna, James Corden, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Natasha Lyonne, Daniel Levy, Maya Erskine, and even Kurt Russell. In reality, many of these stars fade into the background with fleeting cameos or one-liners. Thankfully, the central trio — Goodman, Rihanna, and Corden — carry enough weight to keep things moving.
While some critics found the humor forced and the jokes too reliant on tech references (Zoom, LinkedIn, podcasting), younger audiences and longtime fans seemed far more forgiving — even delighted.
LionhearTV‘s Verdict. Smurfs isn’t aiming for Pixar-level depth or high-concept storytelling. But what it does deliver — heartwarming friendship, slick animation, catchy music, and a few laugh-out-loud moments — it does well. And more importantly, it respects its source material while modernizing just enough to feel fresh.
The reboot doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but for a family-friendly adventure that brings out your inner child — and maybe even gets stuck in your head thanks to Rihanna — it’s more than worth the ride.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Best For: Families, ‘80s cartoon fans, Rihanna stans
Age Suitability: All ages
Standout Moment: Smurfette (Rihanna) singing from a kangaroo pouch — yes, really.
